VAT talks between Odisha, agitating traders inconclusive

The Odisha government and the agitating traders' body held talks but failed to reach a breakthrough over the demand to withdraw VAT on food items.

The meeting presided over by Finance minister Pradip Kumar Amat was held at the secretariat after the All Odisha Traders Association (FAOTA) on Saturday threatened not to import food items including wheat, pulses, wheat products, edible oil etc from other states from April 1.

"We have given certain proposals to the traders body to avoid stopping the import of food materials from other states. The next meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday," state Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister Sanjay Dasburma told reporters.

Besides Amat, the meeting was attended by Dasburma, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, Secretary of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, Additional Chief Secretary in charge of the Finance department and representatives of traders body.

The meeting discussed on the demands of withdrawal of 5% value added tax (VAT) on food items including pulses, wheat and wheat products, sugar, rice and edible oil raised by the Federation.

"We had a threadbare discussion on all issues. The meeting was held in a conducive and constructive manner. It remained inconclusive and they have given us some proposal which we will take up with our executive body. The next meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday," Sudhakar

Panda, secretary FAOTA told reporters.